New Orleans Officials Helping Locals Get Work At Two New Big Box Stores

New Orleans officials will be helping locals get work from two of the major “big box” stores — Walmart is looking for subcontractors and suppliers, and Costco is recruiting workers.

The city will be helping subcontractors and suppliers get through the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. It’s designed to help small businesses owned by minorities and women get a piece of major building projects.

Walmart is planning to open a store next year in Gentilly Woods. It’s looking for help with temporary labor and fencing, as well as carpentry, drywall and other building trades. The store is expected to create 300 jobs. Details will be available at the meeting at 5 p.m. at the Amoco Building on Poydras Avenue.

In the meantime, Costco is expected to hire 75 full-time and 75 part-time workers. Its warehouse is under construction at the former Carrollton Shopping Center. Details on recruiting plans will be available at a 6 p.m. meeting at the McCaffrey Ballroom at the Xavier University Center.